In recruitment online for recruiters, most sourcing and screening happens on screens, but the hiring decision can still swing on a 3 second in person moment: the handshake. The practical fix is simple: teach candidates a consistent handshake routine and use it as part of your interview prep, alongside your online resourcing workflow. We have coached candidates through interview prep for agency and corporate roles, and the same handshake errors repeat across industries. When we standardized a short checklist, candidates became more composed at the start and end of interviews, which made the rest of the conversation easier.
Why the handshake still matters in a digital hiring process
Even when candidates come from LinkedIn, job boards, referrals, or best job agencies, the first in person interaction often sets the emotional tone. A handshake can signal confidence, enthusiasm, anxiety, or uncertainty before the first interview question lands. That is why recruiters should treat handshake coaching as a repeatable micro skill, not as vague “be confident” advice.
At the same time, recruiters are under pressure to do more outreach, more follow up, and more screening. This is where automation can help. StrategyBrain AI Recruiter is designed to automate the early LinkedIn workflow, including connecting with candidates, introducing roles, answering common questions, confirming interview interest, and collecting résumés and contact details. When that repetitive work is reduced, recruiters can spend more time on higher leverage coaching, including interview readiness and first impression details.
Handshake styles recruiters notice immediately
Below are handshake patterns that tend to create negative signals. These labels are memorable on purpose, because candidates remember them and self correct faster.
- The Wet Lettuce: A weak, limp grip that fails to create a confident connection.
- The Vice Grip: Also called the Bone Crusher. It is overly strong and uncomfortable. Firm is not the same as painful.
- The Politician: A firm shake while the other hand cups the top of the recipient’s hand or forearm. It can feel performative in interviews.
- The Power Play: Pulling the other person’s hand toward you or flipping their hand position to assert control.
- The Sweaty Palms: Nervousness happens, but failing to dry hands creates an avoidable distraction.
- The Overenthusiastic: Too long, too much pumping, too much intensity.
- The Finger Shake: Offering a few fingers instead of a full handshake. It reads as uncertainty.
- The Hug: Not a handshake, and not appropriate for an interview setting.
How to give a good handshake (recruiter ready steps)
Use this as a script you can send to candidates before interviews. It is short enough to practice in 2 minutes, and specific enough to be repeatable.
- Stand up: If you are seated and the other person is standing, stand up before initiating the handshake.
- Make eye contact and smile: Keep your gaze on the person, not on your hands. Your hands will meet naturally.
- Open palm, clean contact: Your palm should be open. Make full palm contact, then close fingers and thumb into a firm, comfortable grip.
- Two shakes, then release: Shake a couple of times while exchanging opening or closing remarks, then release naturally.
What “firm” means in recruiter language
Firm means stable and confident, not dominant. If the other person’s hand position changes because you are forcing it, you have crossed into “power play” territory. If the other person winces, you have crossed into “vice grip” territory.
Things to remember before you shake hands
- Hands: Clean and dry hands thoroughly beforehand.
- Grooming: Neatly trimmed fingernails. For interviews, avoid loud nail polish that draws attention away from the conversation.
- Close range basics: Fresh breath and fragrance that is not overpowering.
How recruiters can operationalize this in online recruitment
Handshake coaching works best when it is part of a structured workflow, not a one off tip. Here is a recruiter friendly way to integrate it into recruitment online for recruiters without adding chaos to your day.
1) Add a “first impression” checkpoint to your interview scheduling message
When you confirm an interview, include a short prep note: arrival time, dress expectations, and the 4 step handshake routine. Candidates appreciate clarity, and it reduces last minute anxiety.
2) Use online resourcing automation to protect your time for coaching
When recruiters do manual LinkedIn outreach at scale, coaching is the first thing to get squeezed. StrategyBrain AI Recruiter can handle the initial LinkedIn steps: connecting with targeted candidates, introducing the opportunity, answering role and compensation questions, confirming interview interest, and collecting résumés and contact details. In practice, that means your human time can shift toward candidate quality and readiness, not repetitive messaging.
3) Create a reusable candidate prep template
Below is a copyable template you can paste into email or your ATS notes. It is intentionally short so candidates actually read it.
Copyable candidate prep template
- Arrival: Arrive 10 minutes early.
- Greeting: Stand, eye contact, smile.
- Handshake: Open palm, full contact, firm comfortable grip.
- Close: Two shakes, release naturally, thank them by name.
- Backup plan: If the interviewer does not offer a handshake, do not force it. Use eye contact and a clear verbal greeting.
Quick comparison: handshake mistakes and fixes
| What the recruiter experiences | Common label | What to do instead | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weak grip, low confidence signal | Wet Lettuce | Full palm contact, firm comfortable grip | Nervous candidates |
| Painful grip, awkward start | Vice Grip | Reduce pressure, keep wrist neutral | High energy candidates |
| Feels performative or intrusive | Politician | Use one hand only unless culturally expected | Formal interviews |
| Dominance signal, power struggle vibe | Power Play | Match the other person’s angle, no pulling or flipping | Leadership interviews |
| Distracting moisture, discomfort | Sweaty Palms | Dry hands before entering, carry a discreet tissue | High stress interviews |
FAQ
Is handshake coaching still relevant if most hiring is remote?
Yes. Many processes still include at least one in person meeting, and first impressions can influence how interviewers interpret the rest of the conversation. For fully remote roles, the same principle applies to the first 30 seconds on video: eye contact, posture, and a calm greeting.
What if the interviewer does not offer a handshake?
Do not force it. Use a clear verbal greeting, eye contact, and a professional smile. Recruiters can also brief candidates that some workplaces avoid handshakes due to health or cultural norms.
How long should a handshake last in an interview?
Two shakes is a reliable default, then release naturally. Longer handshakes often feel awkward, especially when the interviewer is trying to transition into the first question.
How can recruiters scale candidate prep without adding more admin work?
Use a reusable template and automate the early funnel. For example, StrategyBrain AI Recruiter can manage initial LinkedIn outreach, follow up, and résumé collection so recruiters can focus on interview readiness and final qualification.
Does AI Recruiter replace recruiter judgment on candidate fit?
No. AI Recruiter can confirm interest and collect résumés and contact details, but final qualification against job requirements remains a recruiter decision after reviewing the résumé and interview feedback.
Can AI Recruiter communicate with candidates in different languages?
Yes. It supports multilingual communication so candidates can interact in their native language, which can reduce misunderstandings during early outreach and scheduling.
How does AI Recruiter handle data privacy?
According to StrategyBrain product information, customer provided data is not used to train AI models, and candidate information is encrypted and isolated per customer environment. Recruiters should still follow their internal policies and applicable privacy laws.
Conclusion
Recruiters who win in recruitment online for recruiters do two things well: they build efficient pipelines through online resourcing, and they protect time for the human moments that close hires. A professional handshake is one of those moments. Use the 4 step routine, coach candidates away from the common handshake traps, and standardize the checklist in your interview prep messages.
If you want to reclaim time for coaching and closing, consider adding StrategyBrain AI Recruiter to automate early LinkedIn outreach, candidate Q and A, follow up, and résumé collection, then keep your recruiter time focused on fit, interviews, and offers.
